October 17, 2007

The Midweek: County Board, Tribe near gaming deal

"The Prairie Band Potawatomi Tribe, which is planning a controversial
gaming operation in Shabbona, may have an agreement hammered out with
the DeKalb County Board by January.

County Board Administrator Ray Bockman told the
board's Executive Committee last week that a few final points are being
worked out and a draft should be ready for consideration by December.
Attorneys for the board and the tribe have been negotiating for months.

The
county's attorney, Dennis Whittlesey, has said the tribe is within its
rights now to build a bingo facility without any approvals from state
or local government.

County Board Chair
Ruth Anne Tobias and board member Pat Vary stressed again last week, as
they have in the past, that the board is developing the agreement in
self-defense. If the Indians go ahead and build the gaming facility,
without the county input, it could be shut out of the operation
entirely, without a voice on issues such as policing, fire protection,
roads, hours the casino will be operating, sales taxes and
environmental issues.

The board sent a special request several
months ago to the U. S. Department of the Interior for a clarification
as to whether the Indian land in Shabbona qualifies as a reservation,
but the county has not received a definitive response. While several
arguments have been made on both sides, DeKalb County State's Attorney
Ron Matekaitis has said he believes none have been conclusive.

The
Potawatomi have said they are proposing a tribal government building of
about 2,500 square feet on 128 acres of land they purchased in the
Shabbona area for more than $8 million.

The bingo facility they
described in the past would be about 22,000 square feet, for about 300
players, with a parking lot for 200 cars-and they said the operation
“would be less disruptive than a school sporting event.” The facility,
which they said would have “serene landscaping,” also would have a food
and beverage service, security and surveillance.

Last week,
board member Julia Fauci said she recently visited a casino out of
state and was amazed at all the related businesses around the actual
gaming facility including restaurants and gasoline service stations.
Fauci has said in the past she is personally opposed to gambling.

There
is heavy local opposition to a bingo operation, and especially a
casino, in the Shabbona area. The opposition group, numbering 100-150
individuals, wants to retain the rural character of the area which
includes Shabbona State Park, named for the former chief of the Prairie
Band. The group also believes the Indians will offer better deals on
gas prices and other services and will end up forcing out local
businesses in Shabbona. The opposition group recently said it was not
represented by an attorney, but may fight the proposed operation in the
courts."